OTTAWA, February 17, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA), Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) and Canadian Seed Trade Association (abbr) are working together to explore options for the most efficient and effective seed certification in Canada. As a result, they will be conducting a pilot project during the 2011 growing season for Certified soybean seed crop inspection in Southern Ontario.
For this pilot project, individuals who have been trained, evaluated and licensed by the CFIA will conduct seed crop inspection on a limited number of Certified soybean seed crops in the Chatham and London areas. The project builds on the current system in place for hybrid corn and hybrid canola. Only companies that currently provide authorized seed crop inspection services are being considered for the pilot project.
Other than this pilot project, there will be no changes related to seed crop inspection for the 2011 crop year. The CFIA will continue to retain overall responsibility for seed certification in Canada, including monitoring and audits of all seed crop inspection activities.
The CFIA is committed to working with industry to continually improve service delivery and maximize the effectiveness of the seed certification program. The CFIA, CSGA, CSI and abbr will review the results of the pilot project and work together to determine next steps.
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For more information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-773-6600
Canadian Seed Growers' Association
Dale Adolphe: 613-236-0497 ext. 224
Canadian Seed Institute
Roy van Wyk: 613-236-6451
Canadian Seed Trade Association
Patty Townsend: 613-829-9527
